Southern Tier man going to prison for distribution of child pornography

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that David J. Johnston, 57, of Olean, NY, who was convicted of distribution of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison and lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Prior to February 19, 2024, Johnston was in a relationship with co-defendant Kayla R. Kio. During the relationship, he requested that Kio take naked videos of a 5-year-old child that they both had access to. On February 19, 2024, Kio took a sexually explicit video of the minor victim using her cell phone and then sent it to Johnston via text message. He took a screen shot from the video, which constituted child pornography, and sent it back to Kio and to other individuals. During this time, Johnson also sent Kio a different image of child pornography via text message. On March 13, 2024, during the execution of a search warrant at Johnston's residence, law enforcement seized three cell telephones. A review of the cell phones recovered approximately 11 images and one video of child pornography.

Kio was previously convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and is awaiting sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Butler.

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